The Presidential Council (PC) reiterated on Sunday its commitment to the Turkish-Russian brokered ceasefire in Tripoli, saying in a statement that it will only succeed if the attackers return to their pre-offensive bases.  

On Saturday, Chairman of the Presidential Council, Fayez Al-Sarraj welcomed the Turkish-Russian initiative but insisted that the aggressors must withdraw to their bases.

"The joint Russian-Turkish initiative for a ceasefire is a good step provided that Haftar pulls out his gunmen away from Tripoli to their positions before April 4," Sarraj stressed.

At a joint press conference with the Italian Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte in Rome, Sarraj said that Haftar's offensive had aborted the aspiration of the Libyan people for a civil state, reaffirmed that the Libyan army forces defending Tripoli are exercising a legitimate right.

"Haftar was only trying to buy time through negotiations. He was never serious about reaching a political solution," Sarraj added.

The PC head indicated that the desire of countries to achieve their interests in Libya does not mean to achieve them at any cost, including at the expense of the blood of the Libyans.

He clarified that he is keen to see the Berlin conference yield positive outcomes that would end the war and foreign interference, expressing his surprise at the international silence regarding the crimes committed against civilians, which claimed the lives of two thousand citizens, the last of which was the students of the Military College.

He also referred to the joint committee agreed upon with the Italian side and explained it will work to review the debts of Italian companies to complete their dues so that they can resume work in Libya.

For his part, Conte emphasized that Italy will intensify efforts to enhance the participation of the European Union in bringing calm and stability in Libya.

"We are convinced that this will provide the best guarantees instead of leaving the future of the Libyan people to the desire of some individuals," he said.